Why is Mustard Oil Illegal in the US? Erucic Acid and FDA Regulations Explained
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mustard oil with high erucic acid content is prohibited from being sold for cooking purposes in the United States. This strict regulation, which leads to the familiar "for external use only" label, is the central reason why mustard oil is illegal for dietary consumption in the US.